Level Up Your Team: Getting Parents in the Game

Youth sports thrive when there’s alignment among coaches, athletes, and parents (remember our application of the Tripartite Influence Model?). While coaches focus on training and athletes on performance, parents play an equally vital role in fostering habits and routines that support long-term success. Yet, we’ve all experienced that involving parents can be a daunting challenge. This blog post expands this month's newsletter's "Getting Parents in the Game" section. It breaks down how coaches can engage parents, provide them with tools for success, and create a unified approach to building strong, well-rounded athletes.

Because we all know the score. Youth sports today? It's a pressure cooker. Burnout is real, driving kids away from the games we love. But here's the thing: establishing routines and habits is like a secret weapon against this craziness.  

Think of it like this:

• Everyone Will Stress Less: Ever notice how those athletes who always seem to have it together are also the most chilled out? There's a reason for that. Athletes with solid routines are 30% less likely to struggle with anxiety and depression. Routines bring order to chaos, and that's a huge win for mental health. (NCAA)  

• Athletes Stay Healthy: Want to keep your team on the field? Help them build consistent training habits. Athletes with structured routines have 20% fewer injuries. That means more playing time, more fun, and more progress. (Journal of Applied Sport Psychology)  

• They’ll Keep Coming Back: It's heartbreaking when you see talented kids walk away from sports because they're burned out. Over 70% of kids quit by age 13! Good habits help them stay in the game longer. They learn to manage their time, prioritize their well-being, and develop a love for sports that lasts a lifetime. (Youth Sports Institute)  

• Athletes Will Win in the Classroom, Too: Want your athletes to crush it in school? Encourage routines! Athletes with consistent habits -- like dedicated study time and healthy sleep -- perform better academically. It's all about discipline and focus. (UCLA)  

• They’ll Develop Skills for Life: The habits we build in sports translate to success out of sports too. Time management, goal setting, and self-discipline -- these are life skills that will help your athletes win in every area of their lives. (The Aspen Institute)  

Bottom line: Routines and habits aren't just about winning games. They're about building tougher, more resilient athletes ready to tackle whatever life throws their way.  

How Do I Get Parents Involved?

Parents play a crucial role in supporting their young athletes' success in and out of sports. Research shows that parental involvement has a profound impact on youth sports experiences. Studies like those by Fredricks and Eccles (2004) highlight that positive parental support leads to increased motivation, enjoyment, and retention in sports. However, parents who apply excessive pressure or lack awareness of contributing constructively can unintentionally create stress or burnout for young athletes.

By actively participating in developing their child’s routines and habits, parents can help their children achieve their full potential while fostering a love for sports that lasts a lifetime.

Here's how to get parents involved:

1. Host a parent workshop:

Organize a workshop to educate parents about the importance of routines and habits in youth sports. Share research findings, practical tips, and real-life examples of how routines benefit a child's physical and mental well-being. Check out our handy templates for preparing for and holding a parent workshop.

What You’ll Cover:

• The science behind habits and how they reduce stress, increase performance, and build resilience (e.g., routines for sleep, nutrition, and mindfulness).

• The importance of consistency in messages from parents and coaches.

• Strategies for a supportive home setting include celebrating effort over outcomes.

The Format:

• A short review of “why,” like youth sports dropout or studies on parents’ impact).

• Use small groups to discuss challenges parents face and brainstorm solutions.

Resources You’ll Want to Provide:

• Handouts summarizing key points.

• A sample habit tracker.

• “Parent’s Guide to Building Routines” - tips for morning/afternoon/evening habits.

2. Create a resource packet:

Provide athletes’ parents with a resource packet with articles, tips, and links to websites or apps related to habit formation and developing routines. This empowers parents with knowledge and tools to support young athletes. Here’s a basic resource packet for you - add your content for your athletes’ parents!

What to Include:

• Habits 101: A guide on how small, consistent actions lead to long-term change.

• Samples: Just for athletes, e.g., pre-game rituals or post-practice recovery routines.

• Recommended Apps and Tools: Habitica for habit tracking, MyFitnessPal for nutrition, and Calm for mindfulness, as a few examples.

• Articles and Videos: Studies like those by the American Psychological Association on parental influence or the NCAA on mental health in athletes.

Delivery: Provide packets in print at workshops or digital versions via email or website.

3. Create Parent-Athlete Challenges:

Encourage parents to participate in habit-building challenges alongside their athletes. This could involve setting family goals, such as having a screen-free evening or going for a weekend hike together. By actively involving parents in these challenges, coaches can create a supportive environment that fosters teamwork and accountability. We’ve started with a couple of fun challenges you can use, and we’d love for you to share any that you create!

Examples:

• “Screen-Free Evening”: Dedicate one evening a week to unplugged family time.

• “Hydration Habit Challenge”: Track daily water intake for a week as a family.

• “Active Weekend”: Plan a hike or sports activity together.

How to Implement:

• Create simple trackers for families to use.

• Share progress in team meetings or newsletters to build accountability.

4. Open Lines of Communication:

Use team meetings, emails, or even group messaging apps like Slack or TeamSnap to keep parents informed and involved.

Share clear expectations about their role:

• Support, not pressure.

• Encourage, not critique.

• Provide regular updates on team goals, progress, and how parents can help.

Building a Culture of Collaboration

Involving parents doesn’t have to be complicated or burdensome. By giving them clear guidance, practical tools, and opportunities to participate in their athlete’s journey, you create a culture where everyone is aligned toward the same goal: developing well-rounded, resilient athletes. When parents, coaches, and athletes work together, the results go beyond the field—building habits and skills that last a lifetime.

Ready to get parents in the game? Start by organizing your first workshop using the tips above, and let us know how it goes! Have other ideas for engaging parents? Share your experiences with our community at www.theyouthsportscrisis.com  and help us continue improving youth sports for everyone involved.